HomeMy WebLinkAboutReso 2005-777
RESOLUTION NO. 2005-~
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF SUNNY ISLES BEACH, FLORIDA, URGING
THE MIAMI-DADE LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION TO
PERSUADE THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE TO
UTILIZE THE 2004-2005 DISTRICT COST
DIFFERENTIAL (DCD) UNTIL SUCH TIME THAT A
NEW AND EQUITABLE CALCULATION FOR THE DCD
MAY BE DEVISED BY A QUALIFIED, UNBIASED
THIRD PARTY; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE
DATE.
WHEREAS, the 2004 session of the Florida Legislature endorsed a new calculation of
the District Cost Differential which purportedly adjusts educational funding for school districts
both by cost of living and wage levels, and
WHEREAS, the entire calculation through a statistical technique allegedly adjusts wage
levels for the value of amenities and trades wage levels for the imputed value of those amenities
for wage levels; and
WHEREAS, the validity of this economic theory has not been independently reviewed
by peer economists and educational finance experts as well as the appropriateness of the
statistical technique utilized for such an adjustment, and
WHEREAS, the Florida Legislature never explicitly changed the statutory basis for the
DCD calculation but merely implicitly endorsed the use of the revised calculation by the Florida
Department of Education, and
WHEREAS, the use of the new amenities-adjusted DCD damages and decreases
educational funding for the Miami-Dade County Public Schools by over $26 million during
2004-2005, $58 million during 2005-2006, and $112 million when fully implemented in 2006-
2007; and
WHEREAS, similar damaging effects result from the use of the revised DCD in 38 other
Florida school districts, including Broward, Palm Beach, V olusia, and Monroe Counties; and
WHEREAS, the cumulative effect of this new version of the DCD will seriously impair
the ability of affected districts to hire and retain qualified teachers and to offer a sufficient
variety of educational programs to meet the diverse needs of its clients; and
WHEREAS, the quality and viability of public education is a necessary component for
the economic well-being and development of a community and region;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COMMISSION
OF THE CITY OF SUNNY ISLES BEACH, FLORIDA, AS FOLLOWS:
R2005-MD Delegation To Support Usage Of District Cost Differential.Doc
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Section 1. Request of the City Commission. The City Commission of the City of Sunny
Isles Beach hereby requests that the Miami-Dade Legislative Delegation adopt as a major
priority and non-negotiable objective for the 2005 legislative session, freezing the calculation of
the DCD at its 2004-2005 level and the commissioning of a study by an unbiased, qualified third
party to review the validity of the amenities-adjusted DCD and to recommend a new more
equitable calculation methodology.
Section 2.
Effective Date. This Resolution shall become effective upon adoption.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 10th day of March 2005.
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, ;' ATTEST: ' "", '.
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:,,--,:: ,Jv4L-
.,' ,Jane Hines, Ci~y'_Clerk
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APPROVED AS TO FORM AND
LEGA S IENCY
Moved by: ~~ '1:1;..L~~' J1.:f
Seconded by: Co~~J~-lSR.:.t~'~
Vote: 6.-D
Mayor Edelcup
Vice Mayor Thaler
Commissioner Brezin
Commissioner Goodman
Commissioner Iglesias
~es)
:::1Y es)
(Yes)
~es)
(Yes)
_(No)
_(No)
_(No)
_(No)
_(No)
R2005-MD Delegation To Support Usage Of District Cost Differential.Doc
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